A number of rock and metal musicians have posted tributes online to Beastie Boys rapper, bassist and co-founder, Adam Yauch, aka "MCA." Yauch passed away earlier today at the age of 47. The cause of death is presently unknown, though it suspected to be linked to his run in with cancer in 2009, for which he underwent surgery. Yauch was recently inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame along with his other Beastie Boys bandmates and other acts including Guns N Roses and the Red Hot Chilli Peppers, who dedicated their performance to absent Yauch.

Justin K. Broadrick, the founder of industrial metal legends Godflesh amongst many other groups, has been confirmed by the organisers of the Netherlands' Roadburn festival as the Artist In Residence, meaning he will perform a different set each day at the event. He will begin as White Static Demon vs JK Flesh on Thursday, April 12 at the Midi Theatre. That is Broadrick’s power electronics project followed by JK Flesh, his heavy electronic based project which encompasses dissonant textures coupled with post hip hop/dubstep/drum and bass stylings.

On Friday, April 13th, Justin will perform as Final. Initially started as a two-piece punk band with a drummachine in 1982, the group recorded its first demo when Broadrick was thirteen years old. The project developed to embrace electronics and dark ambient throughout the years. Justin revived Final by himself in 1993.

Broadrick’s residency will lead into his main project, Jesu, performing on Saturday, April 14th. Named after the last song on the final Godflesh release (Hymns), Jesu (i.e. Broadrick) quickly got established as one of the seminal post-rock pioneers. Since the release of 2006’s Silver EP, which gained comparisons to My Bloody Valentine or Slowdive, Broadrick’s sound evolved further into pop and indie sounds, while maintaining the claustrophobic sonic density his work is renowned for.

Jesu's six-track double EP, "Heart Ache & Dethroned," is coming out on November 16 via Hydra Head Records. The release consists of two EPs: "Heartache" and "Dethroned." "Heartache" was Jesu’s debut record, issued only in Europe in 2004 and featuring two songs that each clock in around 20 minutes. "Dethroned" is from the same time, though its four tracks are all about seven minutes and weren’t completed until this year.

New York crossover legends Life Of Agony will be heading to the United Kingdom for the first time in four years this October to headling the Jager stage at the Damnation Festival which takes place on October 24th at the Leeds University.

Damnation Festival director Gavin McInally said: "Landing a headliner of Life of Agony’s stature is a major coup and the fact it’s the first time they’ll play the UK in four years, makes it all the more special.

"After playing some off the biggest and most respected rock and metal events across Europe this summer, they’ll fly in from New York for this one-off performance and we’re delighted to host what is sure to be a special show."

The organizers of the United Kingdom's Damnation Festival has announced that Jesu, And So I Watch You From Afar and Rinoa have been added to their festivals billing. The event takes place at Leeds University on October 24th.

Hydra Head has announced the official North American edition of Envy / Jesu's split release, out now on CD and in the fall on 2x10." Originally available exclusively in Japan via Daymare Recordings, this release features brand new tracks from both bands.

Mike Patton is taking a break from touring with a reunited Faith No More to work with legendary comic book writer Alan Moore on an audiobook / soundtrack compilation that aims to excite all the senses at once.

Moore has already recorded the two-hour audiobook for the deluxe package of the semi-autobiographical work, provisionally titled "Unearthing." Alongside the audiobook comes a series of art prints and a vinyl soundtrack with contributions from Patton, Andrew Broder of alternative act Fog and Justin Broadrick from Jesu and Godflesh.

The project, which looks to be released early next year, is the first in a series with Moore already hard at work on the second piece.

Dwell Records has released "Like Black Holes in the Sky: The Tribute to Syd Barrett," a complilation of doom and sludge bands covering Pink Floyd. Some bands appearing on this compilation are Unearthly Trance, Jesu, Yakuza, Intronaut, and Dredg.

Dwell Records has made the compilation available online for streaming. You can check it out here.

The new EP features five songs, two songs of which originally appeared on the vinyl only split 12" with eluvium. "Why Are We Not Perfect?" was released this week on September 9, 2008. The tracklisting is as follows:

1. farewell2. blind and faithless3. why are we not perfect4. farewell (alternative version)5. why are we not perfect (alternative version)

With this new five track EP, "Why Are We Not Perfect?," (two songs of which originally appeared on the vinyl only split 12" with eluvium), Justin Broadrick has set aside the heavy foundation of pounding guitars prevalent in past Jesu recordings and brought to the fore elements of texture and melody that previously hovered at the periphery of his monolithic compositions.

Jesu's "Why Are We Not Perfect?" will be available on September 9, 2008. The tracklisting is as follows:

1. farewell2. blind and faithless3. why are we not perfect4. farewell (alternative version)5. why are we not perfect (alternative version)

Genghis Tron has announced the details of a five-volume "Board Up The House" remix series.

Beginning in August and continuing through the rest of 2008, Genghis Tron will be releasing five 12" remix records on five different record labels (Temporary Residence Ltd., Lovepump United, Relapse Records, Anticon Records, and Crucial Blast Records respectively). Each volume will be limited to 1,000, pressed on colored vinyl. "Board Up The House" cover artist, Jon Beasley, will also be providing each remix album with alternative artwork.

Each record will feature a select number of Genghis Tron songs taken from "Board Up The House," remixed by a variety of artists. Some of the participating artists include Black Moth Super Rainbow, Ulver, Dntel, Telefon Tel Aviv, Steve Moore, Jesu/Justin Broadrick, Danny Lohner, Rob Crow, Subtle, Odd Nosdam, Circle, Tim Hecker, and many more to be announced soon.

Genghis Tron commented on the series: "We are very excited to announce a series of special Genghis Tron releases which we've been scheming for quite some time now. Those who have been following us for a while know that we've always been interested in remixes, but to date we've only released a few GT remixes on a few tour-only CDs. We've wanted to do something grander and more 'official' for a long time, so we're proud to say that we've finally assembled a very massive, very official remix project. We reached out to lots of musicians who we admire and overall we've been completely overwhelmed at their willingness to participate in this massive, awesome project. More importantly, the remixes are sounding pretty mind-blowing so far...we're excited to share them with you."

Each release will be available for pre-order for roughly a month prior to its release. Temporary Residence Limited is slated to release volume one of the series in September, with pre-order beginning in July. Further information, including preview tracks, artwork, pre-order options, and more will be announced over the coming months.

The End Records has signed the new project entitled J2, featuring enigmatic singer/songwriter/performer Jarboe and Justin Broadrick, frontman for ambient/progressive noise project Jesu.

Jarboe is known for her 14 years work with the legendary NYC East Village ArtRock band Swans, as well as her recent musical collaborations with such bands as Jesu, Neurosis and A Perfect Circle. Broadrick, who joined pioneering U.K. grind band Napalm Death at the age of 15, formed the influential metal/industrial act Godlflesh in the late-80s and in 2003 started up his current band Jesu.

"When I met Justin, he commented upon the impact and influence of Swans upon his music. We did a concert together in London in 2005 and began discussing working together. I had also been drawn to the unique energy of Jesu and so this was exciting to explore."

Pittsburgh's sci-fi instrumental rock duo ZOMBI will team up with JESU for a three-date Japanese tour in late November.

Commented ZOMBI drummer A.E. Paterra: "We are eagerly anticipating our trip to Japan, as it will be a first for both of us. We haven't played together since April, and are excited to play in front of a new audience, as well as to share the stage with Jesu."

ZOMBI is nearing completion of the writing process for the follow-up album to "Surface to Air". Paterra hints of the band's work so far, "The album signifies a new direction for the band, at times familiar, but also very different."

ZOMBI's as-yet-untitled new CD will be recorded before the end of the year for a spring 2008 release.

The Jesu track "Silver (Original Beats)" is included on the free download only compilation Warm & Scratchy put together by Adult Swim. You can preview the tracks, download the entire complilation or download individual tracks at this location.

The impending permits/visas finally cleared for Jesu this week; the unforeseen backlog at the U.S embassy in London had somewhat reduced enabling the band to be interviewed and be issued their work permits/visas.

This means that Jesu will perform its first live show in the U.S this Sunday, March 11th in Washington DC at the 9.30 Club and will complete the rest of the tour with ISIS from there on in, performing at the Hydra Head Showcase at SXSW, Austin, Texas on the 15th March along the way.

"Many thanks for your patience and huge apologies to those that missed Jesu at earlier shows due to these unforeseen circumstances. A Jesu headline tour of the U.S over the next 9 - 12 months will hopefully compensate somewhat, especially since Jesu now have permits/visas for 12 months!" explains the label.

Here is the full list of shows where Jesu will now perform in the U.S.: